Abstract
The paper reviews the history of water management policies in the Jefara Plain Region (JPR) of Libya in light of water scarcity. The paper also examines the theoretical considerations and current consensus of opinion concerning the issues of water scarcity, conservation and management to determine any gaps. The research design and method is a literature review of both academic publications and governmental and NGO reports relating to water scarcity and management in JPR Libya. While the country has been subjected to a variety of water management policies, those dealing with water issues in the JPR have been characterized by mismanagement and substandard practice. The JPR is an arid region and its meagre run-off water supplies are complemented by groundwater sources from fossil aquifers. These underground sources contribute more than 2,400 million cubic metres per year against an annual recharge of only 650 million cubic metres, and clearly will eventually run out. It indicates a failure of water management institutions to consider the three core considerations of water conservation: nature, the current generation, and future generations. This is a very early scholarly paper to examine in a rigorous fashion the literature and viewpoints relating to water scarcity and management in JPR Libya. It comes at an important time because the new Libyan government and citizens need to manage water issues satisfactorily in the near future.